The Dallas Cowboys open Ford Center at The Star in Frisco this afternoon for the first of two public training-camp practices, a free session that starts a five-day sprint through the New Orleans Saints' preseason visit and the NFL's 53-man deadline.
Tostitos Championship Plaza opens to fans at 4 p.m. CDT, according to The Star's training-camp calendar. Ford Center doors follow at 4:30.
The Opening Ceremony, presented by American Airlines, is listed at 5:30 p.m., with remarks from Cowboys owner, president and general manager Jerry Jones and American Airlines executive Griffin Gonzalez, plus a performance by the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. A two-hour open practice is scheduled for 6 p.m. The Star says practice times are subject to change.
Plaza night, then cameras Wednesday
After practice, the venue is putting a tailgate and drone show on Tostitos Championship Plaza from 8 to 9 p.m. The Star's event page says that outdoor block has not been part of camp programming here before. Player appearances, another Cheerleaders performance, and a special announcement are on the listed rundown, along with mascot Rowdy and interactive activations.
Admission and parking are free both days. Entry is first-come, first-served.
The public window continues Wednesday. Plaza and doors again open at 4 and 4:30 p.m. Cowboys Night practice runs 6 to 8 p.m. inside Ford Center and will be broadcast live on TXA 21 and streamed on DallasCowboys.com, Cowboys Mobile, and Cowboys Now, hosted by Bill Jones and DallasCowboys.com reporters, the calendar says.
What the next five days decide
What the crowd sees this week is also the last long look before the roster hardens. NFL Football Operations requires clubs to reduce to a maximum of 53 players on the Active/Inactive List prior to 6 p.m. New York time on Sunday, Aug. 30, which is 5 p.m. in Dallas.
The claiming period for players waived in that reduction expires at 1 p.m. New York time Monday, Aug. 31. After the league's Personnel Notice, clubs may sign a 17-man practice squad, provided one of those players is listed as an International Player.
The backup job behind Dak Prescott is still unresolved heading into that clock. ESPN's Todd Archer, in a note circulated by ClutchPoints, wrote that Milton is running the offense with more command than he showed in 2025, and that the production has followed, citing 21 completions in 28 attempts for 286 yards and three passing touchdowns plus a rushing score across two preseason games.
